Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COLLAPSIBLE BASSINETIINF T SEAT WITH CANOPY
This invention relates to a convertible infant product and, more particularly,
to a
collapsible bassinet/infant seat having a canopy.
BACICGRO N O THE INVENTION
Sleep products are generally tailored to the age and size of the user. Infants
generally start out sleeping in a bassinet or cradle. Toddlers use cribs up
until they are
ready to sleep in a conventional bed.
Bassinets and cradles are generally small and can be kept in a parent's room
so that
ll0 the infant is close to the parents during its first few months. Known
bassinets and cradles
are not collapsible into a compact configuration and only function as sleep
products.
Moreover, bassinets and cradles have a limited life and use because they are
quickly
outgrown by infants.. However, cribs are generally too large to fit into a
parent's room.
Thus, there is a need. for a smaller sleep product for use in a parent's room
that has a sleep
surface and sufficient depth to laterally restrain the infant during use, but
that overcomes
the limited life and i~se associated with known bassinets and cradles.
U.S. Patent rJo. 4,967,432 to Kujawski et al., which is assigned to the
assignee of
this invention, discloses a mufti-use product including a bassinet and playpen
in one
product. The playpE;n is of the type including a frame covered by playpen
fabric. The flat
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bassinet/diaper changing surface is inset into the open end of the playpen to
make it more
accessible for naps and diaper changing. The bassinet/diaper changing surface
is a fabric
enclosure with a rigid floor mat. The fabric is draped over the upper edge of
the playpen
and rigid hook-shaped clips sewn to the fabric are secured to the upper edge
of the
playpen. As this product is on the scale of a playpen, it is larger than a
bassinet.
In the vein of portability, but apart from sleep products, infant seats are
available that are
usually formed from rigid shells that are portable but z~ot collapsible into a
compact
configuration. In one type of infant seat proposed in U.S. Patent Nos.
5,115,523;
5,092,004; and 4,998,307 all to Cone, the infant seat includes a rigid shell
assembly having
upper and lower shell portions pivotally coupled together so as to be
convertible between a
flat configuration and a seated configuration. Although this seat is portable
it is
cumbersome and is not collapsible into a compact configuration.
Known bouncer seats of the type disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No.
5,207,478 to Freese et al. include a portable infant seat where the back is
convertible
l:i between an upright and a tilted position. Although these bouncer seats can
be collapsed
for portability, they are not intended for use as a sleep product, for
example, they are not
convertible into a horizontal position.
Accordingly, what is needed is a small, lightweight, collapsible infant
product that
has a range of utilities including a sleep product and a seating product.
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CRY OF THE If~F~~
The invention is generally directed to an infant product. An aspect of the
invention
is directed to the combination bassinet/infant seat feature. In particular,
the infant product
includes a frame having an infant receptacle suspended from the fi~ame. The
infant
receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration and an infant seat
configuration.
This conversion between the reclined and upright configurations may be
accomplished
using only parts of the soft goads. In the bassinet configuration, the support
surface of the
infant receptacle is substantially planar, such that the infant is positioned
in a reclined or
flat position. In the infant seat configuration, the back portion of the
infant support surface
may be tilted or disposed at an angle whereby the infant can be supported in
an elevated or
seated position. In one aspect of the invention, this conversion is
accomplished through
the use of a support soTap assembly. In yet another aspect of the invention,
the support
strap assembly and infant support surface cooperate to provide improved
lateral head
support for the infant.
1.5 In another aspect of the invention, the infant product is foldable or
collapsible, such
that the infant product is convertible between an assembled configuration for
use with the
infant in either of the reclined or upright positions just described and a
compact collapsed
configuration for travel and storage. In one aspect of the invention, a simple
three-step
folding method may 'be used to convert the infant praduct between the
assembled erect
position and compact folded configurations. The suspended soft goods are
folded-up
along with the frame. Moreover, part of the frame that is used to support
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the infant product in t1e assembled erect position serves the dual purpose as
a handle in the
compact configuration. A lightweight carrying case may be provided to cover
the main
portion of the compacn infant product.
In yet another .aspect of the invention, the infant product may include a
canopy.
The canopy is of the r,~pe made. of a fabric having floating ribs or stays
disposed in tunnels
sewn into the fabric of"the canapy. With the use of a quick connect system,
the canopy
can be easily converted between an expanded open position and a closed
position.
Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the
following
description, the accompanying drawings and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T)EIE DRAWINGS
Figs. 1-4 are side, front end, back end, and top front perspective views,
respectively, of the infant product in accordance with the invention in the
assembled
bassinet position.
l:i Figs. S-9 are is a perspective, side, back end, top and bottom views,
respectively, of
the infant product in siccordance with the invention in the infant seat
position.
Figs. 10-12 ate perspective front end, perspective back end, and side views,
respectively, of the frame for the infant product in accordance with the
invention.
Fig. 13 is a side view of one of the structural hubs which forms part of the
frame of
Figs. l0-12.
Fig. 14 is a side view of a leg bracket used in the frame of Figs. 10-12.
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Fig. 1 S is a top view of 'the infant product in accordance with the invention
where
the removable pad has been removed.
Fig. 16 is a partial top view of the infant product shown in Fig. 1 S.
Fig. 16A is an exploded view of the bottom wall of the infant product in
S accordance with the invention.
Fig. 17 is a bac;k end view of the infant product in accordance with the
invention
showing the support strap system for the infant recline/seat feature.
Fig. 18 is a px~tial view of the support strap system shown in Fig. 17.
Fig. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18A-18A in Fig. 9.
Fig. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18B-18B in Fig. 1.
Fig. 18C is a partial cross-sectional view taking along line 18C-18C in Fig.
9.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the canopy in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 19A is a partial view of the canopy in accordance with the invention in
the
expanded and secured. position.
1 _'~ Fig. 20 is a partial view of the canopy in accordance with the invention
in the
unsecured position.
Fig. 21 is a side view of the canopy in accordance with the invention in the
closed
position.
Figs. 21A-B are front views of an alternate embodiment of an infant product
2~7 incorporating the canopy in accordance with the invention where the canopy
is in the
closed and open positions, respectively.
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Fig. 22 is a side view of the conversion of the front leg of the frame from
the
assembled position to the compact position.
Fig. 23 is a sidle view of the conversion of the rear leg from the assembled
position
to the compact position.
.'i Fig. 24 is a side view of the conversion of the front arcuate member from
the
assembled position to the compact position such that the frame is in its
compact
configuration.
Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the frame in the compact configuration.
Fig. 26 is a side view of the infant product in accordance with the invention
where
1~D only the front leg is disposed in the compact configuration.
Fig. 27 is a side view of the infant product in accordance with the invention
where
both the front and rear legs are in the compact position.
Figs. 28-30 we side, top and back views, respectively, of the infant product
in the
compact configuration.
i5 Fig. 31 is a top view of the infant product in the compact configuration
with the
main portion disposed in a carrying case in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESC'~P ['ION OF PREFERIpED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of
the
:!0 invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
In particular,
the invention is direcaed to an infant product, the presently preferred
embodiments of
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which are shown generally in Figs. i, S and 31, for example. More
particularly, the infant
product in accordance with the invention is directed to: 1) a collapsible
infant product that
is configurable between: a) an in-use, deployed or unfolded configuration,
shown
generally at 11 in Figs. 1-9 and b) a storage, stowed or folded configuration
shown
generally at 16 in Figs.. 27-31; and 2) deployed infant product 11, which may
be disposed
in either of two configurations: a) a deployed bassinet configuration shown
generally at 12
in Figs. 1-4, and b) an deployed infant seat configuration shown generally at
14 in Figs. 5-
9.
Regardless of the respective configuration, however, the infant product in
1C1 accordance with the invention includes a foldable frame shown generally
100 in Figs. 10-
14 and soft goods shown generally at 200 in Figs. 1-9 which are suspended from
frame
100. Accordingly, a detailed discussion of frame 100 and soft goods 200
follows. Then,
the method of convening the infant product between deployed bassinet
configuration 12
and deployed infant seat configuration 14 will be described, as well as, the
conversion
1:> between deployed configuration 11 and compact folded configuration 16.
The Foldable FramE
Refernng novr to Figs. 10-14, frame 100 will be described. Frame 100 has a
construction that suspends soft goods 200 and is convertible between deployed
configuration 11 as shown in Figs. 10-12, for example, and compact folded
configuration
20 16 as shown, for example, in Fig. 27. Frame 100 is preferably converted by
folding frame
100 along with soft goods 20C). Therefore, the frame is not limited to a
particular
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configuration so long as it can suspend soft goods 20U and can be easily
converted
between a compact configuration and a deployed configuration in accordance
with the
invention.
Frame 100 ha:; a longitudinal axis L (Fig. 12} and a transverse axis T
substantially
_'~ perpendicular to longitudinal axis L. As shown, frame 100 generally
includes an annular
upper rim frame 102, a front leg 104, a back leg 106, structural hubs 108, 110
and back ieg
brackets 112, 114.
Annular upper rim frame 102, front leg 104 and back leg 106 may be made of any
lightweight rigid and durable material. In the illustrated embodiment, these
members are
18-gauge, powder-co;~ted, hollow, cylindrical steel tubing. Upper rim frame
102 may have
a .S" (1.2 cm) outer diameter and front and back legs 104, 106 may have 5/8"
(1.7 cm.)
outer diameter. However, other types of materials may be used in accordance
with the
invention, such as rectangular tubing, aluminum, wood, or plastic tubing or
channel, etc.
Annular upper rim frame 102 provides the support from which soft goods are
1 S suspended. Annular upper rim frame 102 as shown includes a front rim tube
116 and a
back rim tube 122, both of which have a generally U-shaped configuration.
Front rim tube
116 has two ends 1113, 120 pivotally coupled to structural hubs 108, 110,
respectively, such
that front rim tube 11.6 is pivotal relative to back rim tube 122 as discussed
in more detail
below. Back rim tube 122 has two ends 124, 126 non-pivotally secured to
structural hubs
2:0 108, 110 as discussed in more detail below. As illustrated in Fig. 12, in
the deployed
position front rim tube 116 is disposed substantially parallel to transverse
axis T, while
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back rim tube 122 is disposed at an angle relative to front rim tube 116. Back
rim tube 122
is disposed at a slight angle such that infant recline/seat feature 222 (see,
e.g. Figs. 17 and
18) can be positioned high enough to form deployed infant seat configuration
14, as
discussed in more detail below. However, other configurations are within the
scope of the
invention to accommodate infant recline/seat feature 222, and if the
recline/seat feature
222 is not used, back rim tube I22 may also be paralle'1 to transverse axis T.
Front leg 104 and back leg 106 are disposed to support annular upper rim frame
102 in deployed configuration 11 at a suitable height above a supporting
surface to
suspend soft goods 200 above the supporting surface. For example, front and
back legs
104, 106 are disposed pit angles opposing each other, with their upper ends
relatively close
together and their lower, support-surface engaging ends relatively far apart
to provide a
broad, stable base. Front leg 104 has a generally U-shaped configuration
including a base
128 and two side legs 130, 132 extending substantially perpendicular from base
128. Side
legs 130, 132 have ends 134, 136 respectively, which .are pivotally attached
to structural
hubs 108, 110, respectively, as discussed in more detail below. Back leg 106
is also of a
generally U-shaped configuration and includes a base 138 including two side
legs 140, 142
extending substantially perpendicular from base 138. Side legs 140, 142 have
two ends
144, 146 respectively, pivotally attached to back leg brackets 112, 114,
respectively, as
discussed in more detail below. Side legs 140, 142 of back leg 106 include
transition
portions 148, 150 in the vicinity of ends 144, 146 whereby the lateral spacing
or distance
between side legs 140, 142 is increased such that back leg 106 does not
interfere with the
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folding movement of front leg 1. 04 (front leg 104 pivots inside of back leg
106) and such
that back leg 106 can cletent against the outside of structural hubs 108, I 10
in compact
folded configuration 16 as discussed later. Although front and back legs 104,
106 have
been described as being pivotally coupled relative to upper rim frame 102, any
type of
releasable connection may be used.
To increase resistance to sliding of the legs with respect to the support
surface in
deployed configuration 11, rubber feet 152 may be disposed, two each, on bases
128, 138
of back leg 106 and front leg I 04, respectively. Rubber feet 152 may be
formed of any
rubber material including, for example, a synthetic rubber such as a
thermoplastic
elastomers (TPE). Rubber feet 152 also prevent the infant product in its
deployed
configuration 11 from shifting or "walking," for example, when a vibration
unit is used, as
discussed below.
Annular upper rim frame 102, front leg 104 arid back leg 106 just described
are
deployed and interconnected using structural hubs 108, 110 and back leg
brackets 112,
15~ 114. Accordingly, structural hubs 108, 110 and back leg brackets 112, 114
will now be
discussed in detail along with the assembly of frame 100. Structural hubs 108,
110 and
back leg brackets 112, 114 may be made of a lightweight plastic material, such
as,
structural nylon.
Referring now to Fig. 13 in combination with Figs. 10-12, structural hubs 108,
110
21) will be discussed in detail. Structural hubs 108, 110 include hollow box-
shaped housings
154, 156. One of stmctural hubs 108, 110 may include a vibration unit
integrated into its
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housing 154, 156 to sooth the infant. Such a vibration unit may include, for
example, a
motor, a weight, an onJoff switch, battery contacts and wiring. It is
preferable to place the
vibration unit on one of structural hubs 108, 110 because structural hubs 108,
110 are in
structural communication with the entire frame 100 and therefore distribute
the vibration
most effectively, however, other configurations may be used in accordance with
the
invention.
As structural i~.ubs 108, 110 are laterally disposed on frame 100, they are
mirror
images of each other. Accordingly, the following discussion only describes
structural hub
108 in detail, because the construction of structural hub 110 is readily
apparent from the
detailed description of structural hub 108.
Housing 154 of structural hub 108 includes an interior side wall 158 and an
exterior side wall 160 (Fig. 12;) opposing and substantially parallel to
interior side wall
158. Housing 154 fwrther includes an upper side 162 substantially parallel to
transverse
axis T, a lower side 164 disposed at an angle relative to transverse axis T,
front side 166
1;5 and back side 168. Other configurations are within the scope of the
invention.
Exterior side wall 160 includes a carrying handle 170 formed integrally
therewith
and extending outwa~;dly therefrom. Carrying handle 170 includes a recess on
its lower
side for being gripped by the hand such that the infant product in deployed
configuration
11 may be moved. Carrying handle 170 is preferably positioned such that it is
at or near
the center of gravity of deployed configuration 11 when the infant is in the
infant product.
Exterior side wall 160 further includes a detent 171, formed as, for example,
a slightly
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raised surface area, and an abutment portion 172 (Fig. 12) to position and
releasably hold
back leg 106 in compact folded configuration 16, as discussed in more detail
below.
The upper end of back side 168 of housing 154 is adapted to fixedly mount end
124
of back rim tube 122. For example, housing 154 may include hollow tubular
projection
174 having a hollow tubular opening 175 to receive end 124 of back rim tube
122. Hollow
tubular opening 175 extends though projection 174 and into the interior of
housing 154 for
a distance sufficient to adequately support back rim tube I22, and has an
inner diameter
substantially equal to the outer diameter of end 124 of back rim tube 122.
End 124 of back rim l:ube 122 is slidably disposed within hollow tubular
projection 174
and may be secured by a screw (not shown), for example.
At upper side 162 of housing 154 is formed a channel 176 extending
substantially
parallel to transverse axis T and between front side 166 and back side 168.
End 118 of
front rim tube 116 is pivotally secured to housing 154 within channel 176 by a
known
pivotal connector, such as, a pin. This pivotal attactunent is represented in
Fig. 13 by
pivot point P,. In deployed configuration 11 of the infant product, front rim
tube 116 is
positioned within ch~mnel 176 as shown so as to extend substantially parallel
to transverse
axis T. As discussed. in greater detail below, to collapse the deployed infant
product, front
rim tube 116 is rotated about pivot point P, in the direction illustrated by
the directional
arrow D,. Accordingly, to deploy the infant product, front rim tube 116 would
be rotated
:!0 from its compact folded configuration 16 in a direction opposite to
directional arrow D,
into deployed configuration 11 as shown.
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Lower side 16.4 of housing 154 includes another channel 178 extending between
front side 166 and back side 168 of housing 154. Channel 178 extends at an
angle relative
to transverse axis T. l~or example, this angle may be approximately 35°
from transverse
axis T. End 134 of front leg 104 is pivotally attached to housing 154 within
channel 178
'_. using any known pivotal connector. This pivotal attachment is illustrated
by pivot point
PZ. To collapse the dc;ployed infant product, front leg 104 is pivoted about
pivot point P2
in the direction illustrated by directional arrow D, until front leg 104 is
disposed in a
position opposing the position shown in Fig. 13 (i.e. 180°), as will be
discussed in greater
detail below.
11) Referring now to Fig. 14, back leg brackets 112, 114 will be discussed.
Back leg
brackets 112, 114 are disposed laterally on frame 100 and are mirror images of
each other.
Accordingly, only back leg bracket 112 will be discussed in detail as the
construction of
back leg bracket 114 will be readily apparent from the discussion of back leg
bracket 112.
Back leg bracket 112 includes an exterior side wall 180, an interior side wall
181
15 (see also Fig. 11 ), an upper end 182, a lower end 184, a front end 186 and
a back end 188.
At upper end 182 it is formed a hollow tubular sleeve through which back rim
tube 122 is
slidably disposed. In corner 192 between lower end 184 and front end 186 is
formed a
channel 194 disposed at an angle, for example, 45°, relative to
transverse axis T to support
back rim tube 122. End 144 of back leg 106 is pivotally attached to back leg
bracket 112
i:0 and is disposed withvin channel 194 when back leg 106 is disposed in
deployed
configuration 11 of the infant product. End 144 of back leg 106 is pivotally
attached to
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back leg bracket 112 by any known pivotal connector,. This pivotal connection
is
represented in Fig. 14 by pivot point P3.
As discussed i:n detail below, when deployed configuration 11 is collapsed,
back
leg 106 is pivoted about pivot point P3 in the direction represented by
directional arrow D3.
Accordingly, to position back leg 106 in deployed configuration 11 from
compact folded
configuration 16, back leg 106 is moved in a direction opposite to the
direction represented
by directional arrow I)3 until its detents on detent 171 on exterior sidewall
160 of housing
154. As discussed below, in compact folded configuration 16, back leg 106 is
disposed
substantially parallel to back rim tube 122.
A detent 198 (Fig. 11) is also formed on interior side wall 181 of back leg
bracket
112 to releasably secure front leg 104 in compact folded configuration 16. For
example,
detent 198 may include a raised surface or a raised surface with a depression
corresponding to the ~~hape of front leg 104.
To properly a:nd releasably position back leg 106 relative to back rim tube
122 in
1.5 the deployed configuration, a spring or Valco button connection 196 may be
used. In
particular, spring button connection 196 includes spring button 195 formed on
end 144 of
rear leg 106 that is spring biased in an extended position, and a hole 197
formed in exterior
side wall 180 of back: leg bracket 112. As back leg 106 is rotated into its
assembly
configuration, spring button 195 will become aligned with hole 197 and engage
or lock
2.0 into hole 197. Therefore, rear leg 106 can be easily locked into its
proper deployed
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position, yet is easily u~cilocked 'by simply depressing spring button 195.
Although
illustrated with a Valco button, any suitable latching or locking mechanism
can be used.
The Soft Goods
Referring now to Figs. 1-9 and 1S-21, soft goods 200 in accordance with the
invention will be discussed in detail. Soft goods 200 generally include a
bassinet shell
202, a canopy 2I2, and a removable pad 216.
Referring to Figs. 1-9, bassinet shell 202 is constructed such that, in
deployed
configuration 11, it is suspended from frame 100 and naturally falls into
deployed bassinet
configuration 12 due to its own weight and gravity as shown in Fig. 1, for
example. Thus,
bassinet shell 202 is preferably foamed of pliable and/or foldable
construction such that
bassinet shell 202 is c~~nveniently collapsed and folded into deployed
bassinet
configuration 12. Bassinet shell 202 is constructed such that infant
recline/seat feature 222
can be incorporated into soft goods 200 and operated independently of frame
100, as
15~ discussed in more detail later. By minimizing the connections between
frame 100 and
soft goods 200, bassinet shell 202 can be folded-up into compact folded
configuration 14
without having to dis~~ssemble or disconnect any parts, which is time
consuming and
inconvenient.
Bassinet shell 202 generally includes a front end 203, a back end 201, a
bottom
21) wall 204, an annular side wall 206, and structure to suspend bassinet
shell 202 from frame
100 which may include a front tunnel 208 formed on upper annular edge 220 of
annular
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side wall 206 at front end 203 of bassinet shell 202, and a back tunnel 210
formed on
upper annular edge 220 of annular side wall 206 at back end 201 of bassinet
shell 202.
Referring to Figs. 9, 15 and I6, bottom wall 204 of bassinet shell 202 has a
generally elliptical shape with an outer perimeter 218, a front end 224, a
back end 226, a
top surface 228 and a bottom surface 230. Top surface 228 of bottom wall 240
as
illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, is shown with removable pad 216 removed. As
discussed
later, removable pad 216 is disposed on top surface 228 of bottom wall 240.
Bottom wall 21)4 has a jointed rigid construction whereby a substantially
rigid flat
surface can be maintained in deployed bassinet configuration 12 (Figs. 1-4),
however,
which also can be repositioned into deployed infant seat configuration 14
(Figs. 5-9).
In particular, with reference to Fig. 16A, bottom wall 204 is a mufti-layer
construction including; flexible upper cover 232, flexible lower cover 234 and
front,
intermediate, and back rigid panels 236, 238, 240 interposed between upper
cover 232 and
lower cover 234. This rigid panel construction also has the advantage of
providing a
1 '.> minimal weight bias (relative to lightweight annular side wall 206) in
bottom wall 204
which will help bassinet shell 202 naturally fall into deployed bassinet
configuration 12
and provide a slight tension on annular side wall 206. Of course, this tension
on annular
side wall 206 is increased when the infant is placed in bassinet shell 202.
Upper cover ~!32 is preferably made of an easily cleanable material such as
vinyl.
It includes a pair of l~~terally disposed V-shaped notches 246, 248 of elastic
material at
back end 226. Lower cover 232 is made of a generally non-elastic cloth
material and also
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has a pair of laterally disposed 'V-shaped notches 242, 244 of elastic
material at back end
226. Notches 242, 24~~, 246, 248 are provided for purposes of infant
recline/seat feature
222, discussed in more detail below.
Front, intermediate, and back rigid panels 236, 238, 240 are flat, thin, rigid
panels
made of any type of rigid relatively lightweight material, such as, hardboard.
Front rigid
panel 236 is semi-circular in shape, intermediate rigid panel 238 is
rectangular in shape
and back rigid panel 240 is a partial elliptical shape with laterally disposed
V-shaped
notches 258, 260. Front, intermediate, and back rigid panels 236, 238 and 240
are
disposed in spaced relationship such that they may be rotated and folded
unencumbered.
1(1 Also, seams 260, 262 (Fig. 15) may be provided to separate rigid panels
236, 238, 240 to
prevent displacement of rigid panels 236, 238, 240. For example, back panel
240 in back
end 226 of bottom wall 204 can be pivoted from deployed bassinet configuration
12
substantially parallel to transverse axis T, to deployed infant seat
configuration, which is
angled relative to trar.~sverse axis T, for example, 30-:35° from
transverse axis T. Back
15 rigid panel 240 is heln in deployed infant seat configuration 14 by infant
recline/seat
feature 222, as discussed in more detail below.
Annular sidevvall 206 is attached to outer perimeter 218 of bottom wall 204
by, for
example, stitching. E,nnular sidewall 206 forms a lateral restraint for the
infant in addition
to contributing to suspending bottom wall 204. Annular sidewall 206 is formed
of soft
20 flexible material and may include a patchwork of solid cotton fabric panels
251 and
breathable mesh fabric 252. However, any type of material that will not
scratch or injure
17
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an infant may be usef.. Panels 251 may be formed of a solid cotton fabric for
durability.
As discussed later, annular sidewall 206 can be folded and formed into compact
folded
configuration 16, yet serves as a semi-rigid wall for providing lateral
support when under
tension in deployed configuration 11.
:5 Front and back tunnels 208, 210 (Fig. 1 ) are formed to suspend bassinet
shell 202
from annular upper rim frame 102. Front and back tunnels 208, 210 may be sewn
onto
upper annular edge 2:Z0 of annular side wall 206 or rnay be an extension of
annular side
wall 206. Front and hack tunnels 208, 210 may be formed of a soft material
padded with
batting to cushion around front rim tube 116 and back rim tube 122. Front and
back
tunnels 208, 210 are .constructed to form a front passageway in front tunnel
208 having
open ends 264, 266 and a back passageway in back tunnel 210 having open ends
268, 270
(Fig. 4). Accordingly, front rim tube 116 is threaded through the front
passageway in front
tunnel 208 and back rim tube 122 is threaded through the back passageway in
back tunnel
210.
Removable pad 216 is disposed on top surface 228 of bottom wall 204 of
bassinet
shell 202 and may include any conventional pad having a substantially
elliptical shape
corresponding to the shape of bassinet shell 202. Removable pad 216 may be
made of a
cloth material having a batting filling. Crease 292 (Fig. 4) may be formed in
removable
pad 216, for example, using a seam to provide flexibility for lateral edges
288, 290 as
:LO discussed below with reference to Fig. 18A.
A known nylon webbing three-point restraint may be incorporated into bassinet
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shell 202 to support the infant in deployed infant seat configuration 14.
Although a particular embodiment of bassinet shell 202 has been described
above,
other configurations acid materials may be used so long as, for example, the
bassinet shell
is suspended from the frame in a manner appropriate to support the infant in
either of the
bassinet and infant seat configurations and the bassinet shell is easily
folded into compact
folded configuration 16 along with frame 100.
Referring now to Figs. 17-19, infant recline/seat feature 222 will now be
described.
In particular, Fig. 17, 'l 8 and 18A illustrate back end 226 of bottom wall
204 in deployed
infant seat configuration 14, whereas Fig. 1 and Fig. 18B illustrate the
deployed bassinet
configuration 12. Infant reclineJseat feature 222 includes a support strap
assembly 214 of
the type described for use with a stroller in U.S. Patent No. 5,590,896 issued
3anuary 7,
1997 to the same assil;nee as the instant application and the disclosure of
which is
incorporated herein by reference. Support strap assembly 214 includes straps
272, 274.
Each strap 272, 274 includes an end 276, 278, respectively, attached to upper
annular edge
1 ~~ 220 of annular side wall 206 by a seam, for example. In addition, each
strap 272, 274 has
an end 280, 282 to wluch a connector is attached. The connector may include
any
conventional easy connect connector such as a buckle as shown.
When straps 2,72, 274 are connected to each other, they form a support raised
above
where bottom wall 2(14 of bassinet shell 202 would otherwise rest as
illustrated by the
comparison of Figs. 1. 8A and 18B, for example. In use, back end 201 of bottom
wall 204
is raised to an angled position and straps 272, 274 are interconnected to
support back end
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201 of bottom wall 204 in deployed infant seat configuration 14. As
illustrated in Fig. 1
and Fig. 18B, when stt~aps 272, 274 are not in use, they simply hang along
side annular
side wall 206 of bassinet shell 202. Once snaps 272, 274 have been
disconnected, the
back end of bassinet shell 202 naturally returns to bassinet configuration 12
due to its own
weight and gravity.
It is within the scope of the invention to raise and/or tilt bottom wall 204
of
bassinet shell 202 in av~ny manner desirable. For example, the front end of
bassinet shell
202 may also include ;~ strap and buckle connector that when joined will
support front end
224 of bottom wall 204 of bassinet shell 202 in a raised position to provide
an alternate
seating position for th~~ infant. A variety of known seat back recline
mechanisms which
could be adapted for u,se with the disclosed bassinet shell in ways apparent
to the artisan.
Furthermore, in accordance with the invention and as also illustrated in Figs.
15,
16, 16A, 17, 18A and 18C, the infant product may also be constructed to
provide
additional lateral support at the back end of bassinet shell 202 to cradle the
upper end of
1 _°~ the infant in the deployed infant seat configuration 14. This may
be accomplished, for
example, through the use of straps 272, 274, just described, in combination
with the V-
shaped notches 242, ~ 44, 246, 248 of elastic material formed in lower cover
234 and upper
cover 232, respectively, and V-shaped notches 258, 260 in rigid panel 240 of
bottom wall
204. Accordingly, sb~aps 272, 274 can compress against and into bottom wall
204 to
create lateral protuberances 271, 273 (Figs. 18A, 18C) extending upwardly from
otherwise
planar back end 226 of botton-i wall 204. With protuberances 271, 273, the
portion of
CA 02300309 2000-02-09
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bottom wall 204 corresponding to the upper body and head of an infant forms a
V-shape or
cradle (Fig. 18A). When removable pad 216 is positioned on bottom wail 204,
removable
pad 216 conforms to th~.e shape of bottom wall 204, thereby also forming a
cradle shown
generally at 2I7 in Fig., 18A. Crease 292 facilitates the displacement of
lateral edges 288,
S 290 of removable pad :Z16. As illustrated in Fig. 18B, when straps 272, 274
are not
connected, removable opad 216 is substantially flat.
This cradle feature may be implemented in variety of ways and is not limited
to the
structure described herein. For example, the back end 226 of bottom wall 204
may include
a three-way fold, which may be implemented using a three-piece rigid back
panel 240.
Another way to provide lateral support for an infant, which also may be used
in accordance
with the invention, is described in the context of a straller in U.S. Patent
No. 5,441,328
issued August 15, 1995, which has the same assignee as the instant invention
and the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Refernng now to Figs. 1 and 19-21 canopy 212 will be discussed in detail.
Canopy
212 is attached to the 'back end of bassinet shell 202 and is convertible
between an open
tensioned position as shown, for example, in Fig. 1 and a closed relaxed
position shown,
for example, in Fig. 21.
Canopy 212 generally includes fabric panel 300, ribs or stays 302, 304 and
connectors 306, 308. Fabric panel 300 can be made of any lightweight material
or cloth
that is generally inelastic. Sewn into fabric panel 30(1 are sleeves 310, 312
in spaced
relationship into which stays 302, 304 are threaded as illustrated in Fig. 19.
Accordingly,
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stays 302, 304 are separated from each other. Stays 302, 304 may be made of
resilient
material such as extruded plastic. Stays 302, 304, when inserted into sleeves
310, 312 in
fabric panel 300 hold the arcuate shape of canopy 212. Connector 306 may
include any
suitable mechanism for releasably coupling front edge 320 of fabric panel 300
to a
S supporting structure so as to place fabric panel 300 in tension. Suitable
connectors include
buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, magnetic catches, J-hooks, etc.
Canopy 212 is held in the open position by cormectors 306, 308 as illustrated
in
Figs. 19A and 20. Fig. 19A shows connector 306, for example, in a connected
position
and Fig. 20 shows connector 306 in a released position. Connectors 306, 308
are identical,
accordingly, only comiector 306 is described in detail. Connector 306 includes
tab 314 of
cloth material sewn to front edge 320 of fabric panel 300, a male snap 316
provided on tab
314, and a female snap 318 provided on bassinet shell. 202. Accordingly,
canopy 212 is
held in the open tensioned position by engaging snaps 316, 318. When
connectors 306,
308 are released, canopy 212 is foldable into a flat configuration at back end
201 and rests
1 ~~ along back rim tube 122 as illustrated in Fig. 2I .
Canopy 212 in accordance with the invention may be used on any type of infant
product. For example;, as illustrated in Figs. 21A and 21B, canopy 212 may be
provided
on a conventional bouncer seat 400. Fig. 21A shows canopy 412 in the flat
closed position
and Fig. 21B shows canopy 412 in the open expanded position. Accordingly, it
is within
the scope of the invention to use the canopy in a variety of infant products.
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The Method of Foldi~~g and Unfoidi~g the Infant Product
Referring now to Figs. 22-25, the manner of converting frame 100 from deployed
configuration 11 into compact folded configuration 1 Ei will now be described.
Of course,
the steps would be performed in reverse to convert from compact folded
configuration 16
into deployed configuration 11.
To begin folding deployed configuration 1 l, i1: does not matter whether
bassinet
shell 202 is in deployf;d bassinet configuration 12 or deployed infant seat
configuration 14.
The method is a three-step folding process. First, front leg 104 is pivoted as
illustrated by
directional arrows in 1~ig. 22 about 180° to its folded position at
which point front leg 104
1(1 detents against back I~~g brackets 112, 114.
Refernng now to Fig. 23, secondly, back leg 106 is pivoted about 100°
into its
folded position at which point side legs 130, 132 detent against the exterior
side wall of
housings 154, 156 of structural hubs 108, 110.
Finally, thirdly, referring to Figs. 24-25, front rim tube 116 is pivoted
about 150°
1.5 about structural hubs 108, 110 until it is positioned substantially
adjacent and rests on back
rim tube 122.
Figs. 26-29 show the same conversion, but with the finished product, i.e.,
frame
100 and soft goods 2~D0.
In the compact folded configuration 16, the infant product includes a
generally flat
20 configuration having an end 500 and a handle 504 which is formed by back
leg 106. End
500 may be slidably disposed within a carrying case 502 as illustrated in Fig.
31.
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Accordingly, handle 504 which extends outwardly from carrying case 502 can be
used for
carrying the infant product in compact folded configuration 16.
Carrying case 4102 may be formed of nylon material and is used to protect and
keep
clean the folded infant device. When carrying case 502 is not in use, it may
be stored on
bassinet shell 202. In vparticular, a pocket may be fornied, for example, by
sewing on
bottom surface 230 of bottom wall 204 of bassinet shell 202. Accordingly,
carrying case
502 can be folded and slidably disposed within the pocket for storage during
use of the
infant product.
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